Soetaert
Antwerp

Kennedy rail tunnel

A masterpiece of implementation technology!

For the large-scale renovation works of the Kennedy rail tunnel in Antwerp, we take part in the construction of a new evacuation shaft next to the 1.6 km long tunnel. We build this shaft with a secant pile wall. From ground level, a shaft is excavated next to the existing tunnel, at a depth of 25 metres. From this shaft, a passage is dug out to the Kennedy rail tunnel. The shaft itself will be fitted out later on with a staircase to facilitate evacuation.

When you know that the 25-metre deep pit has a diameter of only 8 metres, i.e. very narrow, it is obvious that this represents a considerable challenge with regards to implementation technology.